Sowing the Seeds of Innovation: ideas for enhancing the well- being of vulnerable children Mary Salveron, Fiona Arney, Dorothy Scott and Kerry Lewig

Enhancing the life chances of Australia’s most vulnerable children through research and strategic evaluation, professional education, and communication and advocacy.

“ Why do models of excellent schools, effective job training, and wonderful early childhood program remain only models? Why do interventions that actually change the odds for their high- risk participants succeed briefly… and fail the moment we try to sustain them?” (Schorr,1997)

Diffusion of Innovation Describes how new ideas, products, policies, programs are “communicated over time among members of a social system or organisation” (Rogers, 2003)

Iowa Hybrid Corn Seed Study Marks the beginning of diffusion research in the US 1940s Interpersonal networks among farmers as being the most influential factor in adoption

Example of Diffusion Slow spread of Scurvy Treatment –Evidence to use citrus fruits to prevent scurvy in British Navy was identified in 1601 –Widespread adoption did not occur until 1795 in the British Navy and 1865 in the merchant marines 194 and 264 years later respectively!!!

Process of Diffusion INNOVATION COMMUNICATED Replication (no adaptation) Adaptation Innovation Individual Organisation Environment INNOVATION ADOPTED INNOVATION IMPLEMENTED INNOVATION SUSTAINED Factors that influence diffusion (Salveron, Arney & Scott, 2006) No Yes

“Promoting the uptake of innovations that have been shown to be effective, delay the spread of those that have not yet been shown to be effective, and prevent the uptake of ineffective innovations” (Haines & Jones, 1994, p. 1488). The Challenge…

Example of Diffusion Slow spread of SIDS prevention (McKee et al., 1996) –Evidence for strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS became available in the 1980’s Sleeping in the supine position, avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, breast feeding where possible and avoiding overheating –Took several years for strategies to be promoted and acted upon

How does the innovation influence diffusion? Attributes of the Innovation –Compatibility –Complexity –Observability –Relative advantage

How does the individual influence diffusion? Characteristics of diffusers: –Champions, change agents, opinion leaders Characteristics of adopters: –Innovators, early adopters, early majority adopters, late majority adopters, laggards Professional Roles and Networks

How does the organisation influence diffusion? Organisational structure, culture, resources, staff, capacities (eg. Statutory vs. Non-government) Decision making procedures –Centralised diffusion system –Decentralised diffusion system –Hybrid diffusion system

How does the environment influence diffusion? Socio-political environment –policy culture, political climate, financial arrangements, regulations Communication between researchers, practitioners and policy makers

Adoption versus Adaptation –Influenced by Context/Setting –What does successful spread mean? Effectiveness of a transplanted innovation Extent of spread Degree to which innovation is sustained in it’s new setting Perceived Risks

Example of Diffusion Worldwide Spread of the Kindergarten –Originated from German educator Friedrich Froebel in 1850 –“A special place for small children to learn to enjoy learning through playful activities without parental influence” –Reinvention of the kindergarten innovation worldwide to fit cultural context

The study is tracing the extent of diffusion of seven promising programs currently used at UnitingCare Burnside, and the processes by which they have diffused across Australia. ARC Linkage study of the diffusion of 7 innovative programs

Programs selected on the basis of four criteria: (1) addresses a significant issue; (2) appears promising in its original state; (3) others have expressed an interest in implementing it; and (4) there is sufficient evidence to consider its utility (Schorr, 2003) Program Selection

Intensive Family Based Service introduced in 1994 and based on a model developed in the US designed to build family skills and strengthen family ties in families in crisis where children are at the point of removal NEWPIN established in 1998 and is based on a model originating from the UK a self-help early intervention program for families under stress, with a focus on emotional abuse Family Group Conferencing adapted from a New Zealand model aims to empower the family unit in making decisions about the safety and protection of their child/children Home Visiting introduced in 1997 and is based on research originating in the US provides home visiting services to first time parents by nurses Overseas Programs

Men in Families commenced in 2000 and is designed for first time parents (fathers) attending ante-natal classes Moving Forward introduced in 2001 and provides intensive support to individuals affected by drug and alcohol abuse and their families to ensure the safety and welfare of children Family Learning Centre began in 1984 to “raise the horizons of disadvantaged children” and promote the importance of education utilises a partnerships approach between the parent, child and teacher to effectively promote and supporting children’s education Australian Programs

To what degree have the seven programs diffused? To what degree do the core concepts of DoI apply to program replication and sustainability in the field of child protection? –How does the degree of program fidelity influence the rate of diffusion? –How do professional and organisational characteristics, and social and political contexts, influence the extent and processes of diffusion? –How do program efficiency and effectiveness influence the rate of diffusion? Research Questions

Key Questions Is it effective? Is it efficient? Is it sustainable? Is it transferable?

Reflective question: “how can we enhance organisational conditions to sustain the morale of skilled and committed people who are receptive to innovation and able to nurture hope in vulnerable children, families and communities?”